Whoopi Goldberg, Keith Richards, and More Rock Out at the God’s Love We Deliver Love Rocks NYC! Concert

What do you get when you sum countless Grammy winners, philanthropic goodwill, and an all-nighter of pure rock ’n’ roll? Love Rocks NYC!, of course—the annual concert fundraiser for God’s Love We Deliver, a New York–based organization that cooks and home-delivers nutritious meals to civilians (and their loved ones) in need. The legendary concert was copresented by designer John Varvatos and real estate broker Greg Williamson, and hosted by the incomparable Whoopi Goldberg. Musical icons like Emmylou Harris, Keith Richards, Mavis Staples, and Norah Jones also gathered at Manhattan’s Beacon Theater for the musical affair.

Love Rocks NYC! started two years ago with an idea from Williamson, who tapped Varvatos to co-organize the event. “We’re both very passionate guys for music, and we love this organization. I was very involved with it; John had heard about it. We had a mutual friend who connected us, and we hit it off really quickly. The rest was history,” Williamson explained. On curating the lineup together, he noted, “We have legendary artists and some that are lesser known; they feed off of each other and learn from each other and respect each other. It’s magical.” Varvatos added that year three of Love Rocks NYC! is already in discussion, among other projects for God’s Love We Deliver.

On the red carpet leading up to the concert, music legends poured their admiration for God’s Love We Deliver. Judy Collins said, “They do something that I’ve always supported, and I feel very happy being a New Yorker and knowing that God’s Love We Deliver is part of our lives here to help people.” Harris shared a similar sentiment: “I’m glad that there are people out there doing the heavy lifting to put together an opportunity for a lot of us to do what we love, which is music. It’s going to make the lives of other people better.” Right before the concert began, Marc Cohn told Vogue, “The sheer quality and quantity of what they produce and bring to a variety of people who are really suffering is extraordinary. It’s hard to process that they can give thousands of meals per week, not only to the people who are sick but to their families who really need help, too. It’s an extraordinary organization.”

As for the concert, Trombone Shorty opened the night and ignited the crowd, setting the tone for a memorable evening to follow. After an inspirational and informative introduction by Goldberg, Andra Day took to the stage to perform her hit song “Rise Up,” dedicated to American veterans. A series of blues, rock, soul, and folk performances ensued by collaborative performers spanning all ages. There was not a still body in the theater, with heads swaying, feet tapping, and hands clapping. Musical highlights included Lucinda Williams’s soul-filled performance, Staples’s powerhouse vocals, Jones and Richards’s duet, and Gary Clark Jr.’s masterful electric guitar act. Attendees were later surprised when Bill Murray appeared onstage, encouraging everyone to donate to God’s Love We Deliver. At one point in the night, concertgoers rushed to the front of the stage to shower the famed actor with $100, $50, and $20 bills as donations for God’s Love We Deliver, causing quite a spectacle.

CEO and president of God’s Love We Deliver Karen Pearl might have been the night’s greatest rock star, rallying everyone together to support those less fortunate. The night truly embodied the mission of the organization: New Yorkers uniting to help and empower others. On how to get involved with God’s Love We Deliver, Pearl outlined three ways: “Donate, because that’s how we make and deliver meals. Volunteer, because what God’s Love We Deliver does can’t happen without volunteers. And refer people who may need us: neighbors or family members.”